Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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AI washing is a deceptive practice where companies falsely claim to use AI technology to appear more advanced and capitalize on AI’s popularity. This can involve overstating capabilities, like saying a chatbot uses AI when it just matches keywords. Similar to greenwashing, AI washing misleads consumers and investors, causing them to overpay for non-existent tech benefits. It undermines trust and complicates the identification of genuinely innovative companies.

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Astronomers discovered a new radio galaxy using the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR), a pan-European distributed radio interferometer developed by the Dutch Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON). LOFAR observes the Universe at low radio frequencies (90-200 MHz) and can simultaneously observe multiple directions. It aims to explore the early universe, solar activity, and the terrestrial atmosphere. LOFAR’s innovative design includes advanced digital beam-forming for agile, multi-user operations.

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Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, issued an advisory to states following reported Zika virus cases in Maharashtra. The advisory emphasizes vigilance due to Zika’s association with microcephaly and neurological issues in fetuses. States are instructed to monitor pregnant women for Zika, ensure health facilities are mosquito-free, and follow central guidelines. Zika primarily spreads via infected Aedes mosquitoes, and symptoms, when present, include fever, rash, and joint pain.

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Regenerative braking, found in hybrid and full-electric vehicles, converts kinetic energy from braking into electrical power to charge the vehicle’s high-voltage battery. Also known as a kinetic energy recovery system, it uses electric motors in reverse to act as generators. This system slows the car, aiding traditional brakes, improves fuel consumption, and reduces wear on brake pads by decreasing the overall braking load.

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China’s APSTAR-6E satellite has commenced operations after successful technical reviews in orbit and Hong Kong. Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, it is China’s first all-electric propulsion communication satellite, launched on January 13, 2023. The satellite, designed to last 15 years, provides high-capacity broadband services across Southeast Asia and features 25 Ku-band and three Ka-band transponders, delivering a total throughput of 30 gigabytes per second.

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U-WIN, launching on August 15, will transform maternal and child healthcare in India by digitizing vaccination records, replacing the manual system used by ASHA and other healthcare workers. Replicating the Co-WIN system, U-WIN maintains an electronic registry of routine immunizations. Currently in pilot mode in all states and Union Territories except West Bengal, it records vaccination events for pregnant women and children aged 0-5 under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).

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The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) has achieved a significant milestone by developing homegrown fused silica radomes for missiles. Radomes are protective enclosures that shield radar or antenna systems from environmental elements without affecting signal transmission. Made from rigid or flexible materials, radomes maintain antenna performance by reducing environmental impact, concealing electronic equipment, and preventing collisions with nearby objects. They ensure the antenna’s durability and efficiency.

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New data from the NOvA experiment has deepened the mystery surrounding neutrino masses. NOvA (NuMI Off-axis νe Appearance) studies neutrino oscillations and properties. Managed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory near Chicago, Fermilab sends a beam of neutrinos 500 miles to a 14,000-ton detector in Ash River, Minnesota. By measuring neutrinos and their antimatter partners, antineutrinos, physicists study how these particles change type during travel, known as neutrino oscillation. NOvA aims to learn more about the ordering of neutrino masses.

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World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28 July, raises awareness about viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that can lead to severe liver disease and cancer. Millions die from hepatitis-related illnesses globally, highlighting the need for better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Hepatitis is typically caused by viral infections but can also result from autoimmune conditions, medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2024 is “It’s Time for Action,” emphasizing the urgency of addressing hepatitis to improve global health outcomes. This day aims to increase knowledge and inspire positive changes in combating hepatitis worldwide.

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The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is set for a crucial flyby of Earth on August 20, 2024. This mission, aimed at exploring Jupiter and its moons Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede, seeks to investigate the potential for life and understand Jupiter’s origins. JUICE will study Jupiter’s magnetic, radiation, and plasma environments, and in about four years, it will enter orbit around Ganymede, marking the first probe to orbit a planetary moon other than Earth’s. The mission will provide unprecedented insights into one of the largest moons in our solar system.